In Sony’s E3 press conference, Naughty Dog, the studio behind the Uncharted and Jak & Daxter games, unveiled the first gameplay video of their new IP, The Last of Us. The game is set in a post-pandemic world destroyed by a plague, and players take control of Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a brave young girl, as they try to survive across America. The gameplay video, created live at the keynote from a PlayStation 3, shows Joel and Ellie treading through an abandoned hotel, before death ensues for many enemies. At the end, an assailant sporting a rifle enters a derelict room, before getting stabbed and losing his head to the gun. Watch the epic 7:23 video below (18+) and take a look at the previous trailers and a few screenshots, and prepare for the PlayStation exclusive launch in late 2012 or early 2013.

Last week, we reported that the Game Group was set to enter administration, and now the company has confirmed the inevitable. 277 of their 609 UK stores have now shut, and 2,104 jobs have subsequently been lost, amounting to roughly 40% of the workforce. Reward Card/Elite points can still be collected but not redeemed, and gift cards are also useless for the time being. No trade-ins, exchanges or returns will be accepted, and there is a halt on pre-orders until further notice. A full list of the closed stores from MCV can be found below, so have a check there to see whether your local branch is facing the chop. Thankfully, my local Gamestation in Haywards Heath is still open, so I can breathe easily for the next couple of days at least, but let’s hope that somebody steps in to rescue one of the few retailers that people actually like. The group’s press release follows:

Further to our announcements of 21 March, the Board of Game has completed its discussions with lenders and third parties without resolution, and has therefore today appointed PWC LLP to act as administrators for the Group. This decision is taken after careful consideration and ceaseless interrogation of every possible alternative. The Board would like to thank the teams of Game and Gamestation colleagues around the world for their exemplary dedication, passion and professionalism.

British retailer Game has announced plans to go into administration, shortly after de-listing from the London Stock Exchange. With the announcement, the chain, which has 1,270 stores under the Game and Gamestation brands in Europe and Australia, plans to operate as normal, while trying to find a buyer. Rumours have circulated that American retailer GameStop might take over the UK’s largest specialist game retailer, but, with shares haven fallen 71% in the past year and games such as Mass Effect 3 not being in stock due to credit problems, consumers may soon have to look elsewhere for their games. Read the full press release below.

Further to this morning’s announcement of the suspension of trading in shares of GAME Group plc, the board has concluded that its discussions with all stakeholders and other parties have not made sufficient progress in the time available to offer a realistic prospect for a solvent solution for the business. The board has therefore today filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

In the short term the Board’s intention is that the business will continue to trade and discussions with lenders and third parties will continue under the protection of the interim moratorium.